“How should I know him, pray?”

“He has been here frequently. I thought you had met him.”

“And suppose I have! Does the mere meeting of one of your young whipper-snappers constitute a knowledge as to who and what he is? Do you know him?”

“Yes, sir, I believe I do.”

“And what do you know of him?”

“That he is a young man of virtuous principles.”

“And I suppose you also know that he aspires to your hand.”

“I do,” calmly replied Eunice, letting her eyes fall to the floor.

“And you favor his presumption, I plainly see.”

“For that, father, I am not to blame,” returned Eunice, in the same low, subdued voice. “I cannot help loving virtue and all manly excellencies combined, when they offer themselves for my love.”